QUESTION: Was Labour Day this year the level of success we wished for? The “argumenters” have been “talking the talk” since Monday, comparing what the Day should mean to us and what it used to be. Some people insist that they don’t mind looking back into yesterday to make the comparison between 1972 when some people will tell you, Labour Day was one of the most meaningful projects introduced by then Prime Minister Michael Manley. It was an era of controversy.

It is almost certain that there will be more and more arguments to come about the veracity of the claim about the first Labour Day, start-up date included. Already one of my historian friends wickedly introduced a touch of doubt into our discussion. Some people say that “Labour Day was really started in the sixties,” he said, setting up an argument. “So what about the seventies?”, said I. “Isn’t that when the idea ‘catch a fire’ with a level of enthusiasm which has not occurred since?”

To that, Friend Historian went so far as to admit that Michael Manley scored with that one.

I would not list my friend as a “Michael fan” but he’s one of a rare breed who does not hesitate to give honour where due. Labour Day, which we are now trying to give new life, is still remembered by people who experienced it and feel that there’s nothing wrong in re-examining and re-calling what it achieved in its time when Uptown and Downtown came together to repair and build, as well as to clean and restore, to start from scratch where needed, to work and not ask for monetary reward, not stopping till sun was beginning to set, at which time attention turned to food and fellowship.

I have never heard over the years any official figures of the financial value of the improvements of public property and other projects, from basic schools to hospital wards and other facilities built with voluntary effort. Churches brought a new face to their places of worship, facilities for community assembly, basic schools in particular. All that and more was achieved. Unfortunately, today, the concept of community helping itself is not as strong as it used to be.

I have the honour of living in a semi-rural village, far enough from Town to be blessed with the bounty of Nature and near enough to be in reach of industry and commerce. Our community’s memory of our first Labour Day of community work remains. Our ambitious project was to enrich the spirit of the people with a community centre open to all. With the foundation laid before the big day, citizens came out to work with a will.

Our contingent was blessed to have had as fellow residents Jamaica’s King and Queen of Good Humour, the indomitable couple of Louise Bennett and husband Mr Eric Coverley, much revered icons of the respected age of development known as “Jamaica Welfare”. I wonder if such aspects of Jamaica’s road to development have ever been introduced to a new age. Who tells that story?

Other elders of the village shared that history. Between them, they told the story as they toiled through the day, of how they set out to build a new Jamaica. We could not fail. How could we, when the project was blessed with the contribution of other citizens within and without our little town, who shared their bounty with us, also? For the whole day we worked, we laughed and we told stories. We were a family and a community.

It took more than one day, of course, to complete the work. We returned to the site, time and again. The community never gave up. It was the people’s welfare.

It was to become a monument to the spirit of a day when the community did for itself and others. One day, the community centre was opened and put to use. Louise and Eric have both left us since then, but every day, as I go past the centre, the memory awakens.

On Monday, Labour Day 2016, we made another go at creating a significant day again, but something was missing. People seemed disinterested. Some seemed more concerned with political possibilities. A little bit happened, but nothing to compare with the level of Labour Days past.

The appeal was made previously at a high official level, urging our people to put work into the day. Something was missing, however. I passed through two areas outside our neighbourhood, where no activity was evident. Nothing was going on.

The spirit of neighbourliness is not what it used to be. Somebody said, “People naw work widout pay”. That explains it. We might be living side by side but not exactly in togetherness, as before. We all want to survive, but the shared interest which distinguished us once has retreated somewhere else. A new approach to the treasured community concept of yesterday has gone into hiding, says a friend. Can there be any such thing as neighbourliness without togetherness?

The Good Neighbour is still around, for which, give thanks. The news of just a few days or so ago, tells us how it can be when a citizen puts his own life in danger, in an attempt to rescue a teenager, battling with the perils of flood water, to save her young life.

All too sadly, the rescue attempt failed but we still have heroes among us. They might not always succeed but they deserve our respect for trying. Our condolences go today to a mourning mother and our heartfelt thanks to the hero who tried to save her child.

As for Labour Day, no doubt we will be trying again next year. If we are to achieve, however, it is not too early to begin the process of national self-examination. Have we ever paused to examine why we ignore the teachings of the useful customs of the early years of our society, which once took us far, from slavery and beyond? Today, why would so many people rather beg, than help themselves or join together with neighbours?

Have we asked why is charity diminishing? Why do we question the necessity sometimes for work without financial pay? While the importance of work on Labour Day needs building up again, perhaps we need to start early to get ready for next year.

So, what really happened islandwide, on Monday? The Jamaica Information Service has kindly shared with me a sizeable list of official Labour Day projects carried out through various organisations, public and private sector, in rural and urban areas across the island. Thanks to those who contributed. It would be enlightening to know how much was the work of volunteers.

Many of the projects had to do with cleansing the environment of the adverse conditions, which threaten the health of citizens faced with attacks of the deadly mosquito plague and the diseases they convey. There is still value in giving service for each other.

THANKS to those people whose gift is saving the environment. Give a “shout-out” to Mrs Cassetta Belinfanti who continues to give of her time and talent to beautify her community of Braeton, notably the Phase One Park. That’s the spirit, sister.

Perhaps on a future Labour Day, focus will be placed islandwide on gifts like these. Thanks to all others who continue to serve in their own special way.

WHAT did the Venezuela President really visit us for? It couldn’t be that he just wanted a regional consultation, including a word about cultural exchange involving the famed Venezuelan youth orchestra. Maybe we didn’t hear so good… Isn’t President Madura wrestling with political unrest and food shortages? Check it out again, please.

Barbara Gloudon is a journalist, playwright and commentator

gloudonb@yahoo.com